Script
Bitcoin uses a scripting system for transactions. Forth-like, Script is simple, stack-based, and processed from left to right. It is purposefully not Turing-complete, with no loops.
A script is essentially a list of instructions recorded with each transaction that describe how the next person wanting to spend the Bitcoins being transferred can gain access to them. The script for a typical Bitcoin transfer to destination Bitcoin address D simply encumbers future spending of the bitcoins with two things: the spender must provide
- a public key that, when hashed, yields destination address D embedded in the script, and
- a signature to show evidence of the private key corresponding to the public key just provided.
Scripting provides the flexibility to change the parameters of what's needed to spend transferred Bitcoins. For example, the scripting system could be used to require two private keys, or a combination of several, or even no keys at all.
A transaction is valid if nothing in the combined script triggers failure and the top stack item is true (non-zero). The party who originally sent the Bitcoins now being spent, dictates the script operations that will occur last in order to release them for use in another transaction. The party wanting to spend them must provide the input(s) to the previously recorded script that results in those operations occurring last leaving behind true (non-zero).
Scripts are big-endian.
The stacks hold byte vectors. Byte vectors are interpreted as little-endian variable-length integers with the most significant bit determining the sign of the integer. Thus 0x81 represents -1. 0x80 is another representation of zero (so called negative 0). Byte vectors are interpreted as Booleans where False is represented by any representation of zero, and True is represented by any representation of non-zero.
opcode descriptions
It follows for each opcode less than decimal 185 (hexa 0xba) a description for its usage. The columns entiteld nemonic, decimal and Hex should be evident. The column input gives the needed items of the stack (and the alternate stack) and the column output indicates the resulting items on the stack (and the alternate stack). The naming of the entries in these two columns is chosen to reflect their interpretation. x,x0,x1,... means arbitrary or no interpretation, a, b and c as a signed integer value, n,index,size and depth non-negative integer values, Boolean as either a true or false.
Some of the more complicated opcodes are disabled out of concern that the client might have (and has) a bug in the current implementation due to the historically not as 2-complement interpretations of the byte vectors as numerical values (the most significant byte holds the sign of the byte vectors).
Constants
| Nemonic | Decimal | Hex | Input | Output | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OP_FALSE, OP_0 | 0 | 0x00 | Nothing | Empty string | A byte vector of length 0 is pushed onto the stack. (Thus, it is not a no-op!) |
| (no official nemonics) | 1 - 75 | 0x01 - 0x4b | (operands) | x | The next <opcode>-many bytes are to be pushed onto the stack. |
| OP_PUSHDATA1 | 76 | 0x4c | (operands) | x | The next byte contains the number of bytes to be pushed onto the stack which follow this byte. |
| OP_PUSHDATA2 | 77 | 0x4d | (operands) | x | The next two bytes contain the number of bytes to be pushed onto the stack which follow theses 2 bytes. |
| OP_PUSHDATA4 | 78 | 0x4e | (operands) | x | The next four bytes contain the number of bytes to be pushed onto the stack which follow theses 4 bytes. |
| OP_1NEGATE | 79 | 0x4f | Nothing | -1 | The number -1 is pushed onto the stack. |
| OP_1, OP_TRUE | 81 | 0x51 | Nothing | 1 | The number 1 is pushed onto the stack. |
| OP_2 - OP_16 | 82 - 96 | 0x52 - 0x60 | Nothing | 2-16 | The value <opcode>-80 (thus, one of 2 - 16) is pushed onto the stack. |
Flow control
| Nemonic | Decimal | Hex | Input | Output | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OP_NOP | 97 | 0x61 | Nothing | Nothing | Does nothing. |
| OP_IF | 99 | 0x63 | Boolean | Nothing | If the top stack value is not 0, the statements are executed. The top stack value is removed. Lead in a logcial <value> then [statements] [else [statements]] endif expression |
| OP_NOTIF | 100 | 0x64 | Boolean | Nothing | If the top stack value is 0, the statements are executed. The top stack value is removed. Lead in a logcial <value> then [statements] [else [statements]] endif expression |
| OP_ELSE | 103 | 0x67 | Nothing | Nothing | If the preceding OP_IF or OP_NOTIF or OP_ELSE was not executed then these statements are and if the preceding OP_IF or OP_NOTIF or OP_ELSE was executed then these statements are not. |
| OP_ENDIF | 104 | 0x68 | Nothing | Nothing | Ends a logcial If <value> then [statements] [else [statements]] expression |
| OP_VERIFY | 105 | 0x69 | Boolean | Nothing / False | If top stack value is not true then marks transaction as invalid . A value true is removed, but false is not. |
| OP_RETURN | 106 | 0x6a | Nothing | Nothing | Marks transaction as invalid. |
Stack
| Nemonic | Decimal | Hex | Input | Output | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OP_TOALTSTACK | 107 | 0x6b | x1 (alt) | (alt x1) | Puts the input onto the top of the alt stack. Removes it from the (main) stack. |
| OP_FROMALTSTACK | 108 | 0x6c | (alt x1) | x1 (alt) | Puts the input onto the top of the (main) stack. Removes it from the alt stack. |
| OP_2DROP | 109 | 0x6d | x1 x2 | Nothing | Removes the top two stack items. |
| OP_2DUP | 110 | 0x6e | x1 x2 | x1 x2 x1 x2 | Duplicates the top two stack items. |
| OP_3DUP | 111 | 0x6f | x1 x2 x3 | x1 x2 x3 x1 x2 x3 | Duplicates the top three stack items. |
| OP_2OVER | 112 | 0x70 | x1 x2 x3 x4 | x1 x2 x3 x4 x1 x2 | Copies the pair of items two spaces back in the stack to the front. |
| OP_2ROT | 113 | 0x71 | x1 x2 x3 x4 x5 x6 | x3 x4 x5 x6 x1 x2 | The fifth and sixth items back are moved to the top of the stack. |
| OP_2SWAP | 114 | 0x72 | x1 x2 x3 x4 | x3 x4 x1 x2 | Swaps the top two pairs of items. |
| OP_IFDUP | 115 | 0x73 | x | x / x x | If the top stack value is not 0, duplicate it. |
| OP_DEPTH | 116 | 0x74 | Nothing | depth | Puts the number of stack items onto the stack as one little-endian coded byte-vector |
| OP_DROP | 117 | 0x75 | x | Nothing | Removes the top stack item. |
| OP_DUP | 118 | 0x76 | x | x x | Duplicates the top stack item. |
| OP_NIP | 119 | 0x77 | x1 x2 | x2 | Removes the second-to-top stack item. |
| OP_OVER | 120 | 0x78 | x1 x2 | x1 x2 x1 | Copies the second-to-top stack item to the top. |
| OP_PICK | 121 | 0x79 | xn ... x2 x1 x0 <n> | xn ... x2 x1 x0 xn | The item n back in the stack is copied to the top. |
| OP_ROLL | 122 | 0x7a | xn ... x2 x1 x0 <n> | ... x2 x1 x0 xn | The item n back in the stack is moved to the top. |
| OP_ROT | 123 | 0x7b | x1 x2 x3 | x2 x3 x1 | The top three items on the stack are rotated to the left. |
| OP_SWAP | 124 | 0x7c | x1 x2 | x2 x1 | The top two items on the stack are swapped. |
| OP_TUCK | 125 | 0x7d | x1 x2 | x2 x1 x2 | The item at the top of the stack is copied and inserted before the second-to-top item. |
Splice
| Nemonic | Decimal | Hex | Input | Output | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OP_CAT | 126 | 0x7e | x1 x2 | out | Concatenates two strings resp. byte vectors. Currently disabled. |
| OP_SUBSTR | 127 | 0x7f | x index size | out | Returns the section started at position <index> and of length <size> of a string resp. byte vector. Currently disabled. |
| OP_LEFT | 128 | 0x80 | x index | out | Keeps only characters left of the specified point in a string. Currently disabled. |
| OP_RIGHT | 129 | 0x81 | x index | out | Keeps only characters right of the specified point in a string. Currently disabled. |
| OP_SIZE | 130 | 0x82 | x | x size | Returns the length of the input string resp. byte vector resp. stack item. |
Bitwise logic
| Nemonic | Decimal | Hex | Input | Output | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OP_INVERT | 131 | 0x83 | x1 | x0 | Flips all of the bits in the input. Currently disabled. |
| OP_AND | 132 | 0x84 | x1 x2 | x0 | Boolean and between each bit in the inputs. Currently disabled. |
| OP_OR | 133 | 0x85 | x1 x2 | x0 | Boolean or between each bit in the inputs. Currently disabled. |
| OP_XOR | 134 | 0x86 | x1 x2 | x0 | Boolean exclusive or between each bit in the inputs. Currently disabled. |
| OP_EQUAL | 135 | 0x87 | x1 x2 | Boolean | Returns 1 if the inputs are byte-wise equal, 0 otherwise. |
| OP_EQUALVERIFY | 136 | 0x88 | x1 x2 | Nothing / false | Same as OP_EQUAL, but runs OP_VERIFY afterward. |
Arithmetic
(In very early versions, the implemented arithmetic opcodes were limited to maximal 4 byte vectors.)
| Nemonic | Decimal | Hex | Input | Output | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OP_1ADD | 139 | 0x8b | a | c | 1 is added to the input. |
| OP_1SUB | 140 | 0x8c | a | c | 1 is subtracted from the input. |
| OP_2MUL | 141 | 0x8d | a | c | The input is multiplied by 2. Currently disabled. |
| OP_2DIV | 142 | 0x8e | a | c | The input is divided by 2. Currently disabled. |
| OP_NEGATE | 143 | 0x8f | a | c | The sign of the input is flipped. |
| OP_ABS | 144 | 0x90 | a | c | The input is negative, its sign is flipped. |
| OP_NOT | 145 | 0x91 | a | Boolean | If the input is 0 or 1, it is flipped. Otherwise the output will be 0. |
| OP_0NOTEQUAL | 146 | 0x92 | a | Boolean | Returns 0 if the input is 0. 1 otherwise. |
| OP_ADD | 147 | 0x93 | a b | c | a is added to b. |
| OP_SUB | 148 | 0x94 | a b | c | b is subtracted from a. |
| OP_MUL | 149 | 0x95 | a b | c | a is multiplied by b. Currently disabled. |
| OP_DIV | 150 | 0x96 | a b | c | a is divided by b (b should be not 0). Currently disabled. |
| OP_MOD | 151 | 0x97 | a b | c | Returns the remainder after dividing a by b (b should be not 0). Currently disabled. |
| OP_LSHIFT | 152 | 0x98 | a b | c | Shifts a left by b bits, preserving sign. Currently disabled. |
| OP_RSHIFT | 153 | 0x99 | a b | c | Shifts a right by b bits, preserving sign. Currently disabled. |
| OP_BOOLAND | 154 | 0x9a | a b | Boolean | If both a and b are not 0, the output is 1. Otherwise 0. |
| OP_BOOLOR | 155 | 0x9b | a b | Boolean | If a or b is not 0, the output is 1. Otherwise 0. |
| OP_NUMEQUAL | 156 | 0x9c | a b | Boolean | Returns 1 if the numbers are equal, 0 otherwise. |
| OP_NUMEQUALVERIFY | 157 | 0x9d | a b | Nothing / False | Same as OP_NUMEQUAL, but runs OP_VERIFY afterward. |
| OP_NUMNOTEQUAL | 158 | 0x9e | a b | Boolean | Returns 1 if the numbers are not equal, 0 otherwise. |
| OP_LESSTHAN | 159 | 0x9f | a b | Boolean | Returns 1 if a is less than b, 0 otherwise. |
| OP_GREATERTHAN | 160 | 0xa0 | a b | Boolean | Returns 1 if a is greater than b, 0 otherwise. |
| OP_LESSTHANOREQUAL | 161 | 0xa1 | a b | Boolean | Returns 1 if a is less than or equal to b, 0 otherwise. |
| OP_GREATERTHANOREQUAL | 162 | 0xa2 | a b | Boolean | Returns 1 if a is greater than or equal to b, 0 otherwise. |
| OP_MIN | 163 | 0xa3 | a b | a / b | Returns the smaller of a and b. |
| OP_MAX | 164 | 0xa4 | a b | a / b | Returns the larger of a and b. |
| OP_WITHIN | 165 | 0xa5 | x min max | Boolean | Returns 1 if x is within the specified range (left-inclusive) , 0 otherwise. min may be greater than max |
Crypto
| Nemonic | Decimal | Hex | Input | Output | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OP_RIPEMD160 | 166 | 0xa6 | x | hash20 | The input is hashed using RIPEMD-160. |
| OP_SHA1 | 167 | 0xa7 | x | hash20 | The input is hashed using SHA-1. |
| OP_SHA256 | 168 | 0xa8 | x | hash32 | The input is hashed using SHA-256. |
| OP_HASH160 | 169 | 0xa9 | x | hash20 | The input is hashed twice: first with SHA-256 and then with RIPEMD-160. |
| OP_HASH256 | 170 | 0xaa | x | hash32 | The input is hashed two times with SHA-256. |
| OP_CODESEPARATOR | 171 | 0xab | Nothing | Nothing | All of the signature checking opcodes will only match signatures to the data after the most recently-executed OP_CODESEPARATOR. |
| OP_CHECKSIG | 172 | 0xac | sig pubkey | Boolean | The entire transaction's outputs, inputs, and script (from the most recently-executed OP_CODESEPARATOR to the end) are hashed. The signature used by OP_CHECKSIG must be a valid signature for a further, extern specified hash and the given public key. If it is, 1 is returned, 0 otherwise. |
| OP_CHECKSIGVERIFY | 173 | 0xad | sig pubkey | Nothing / False | Same as OP_CHECKSIG, but OP_VERIFY is executed afterward. |
| OP_CHECKMULTISIG | 174 | 0xae | sig1 sig2 ... <number of signatures> pub1 pub2 <number of public keys> | Boolean | For each signature and public key pair, OP_CHECKSIG is executed. If more public keys than signatures are listed, some key/sig pairs can fail. All signatures need to match a public key. If all signatures are valid, 1 is returned, 0 otherwise. Due to a bug, one extra unused value is removed from the stack. |
| OP_CHECKMULTISIGVERIFY | 175 | 0xaf | sig1 sig2 ... <number of signatures> pub1 pub2 ... <number of public keys> | Nothing / False | Same as OP_CHECKMULTISIG, but OP_VERIFY is executed afterward. |
Transparent opcodes
| Nemonic | Decimal | Hex | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| OP_NOP1-OP_NOP10 | 176-185 | 0xb0-0xb9 | The opcode has no effect. |
Pseudo-opcodes
These nemonics are used internally for assisting with transaction matching. They are invalid if used in actual scripts.
| Nemonic | Decimal | Hex | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| OP_PUBKEYHASH | 253 | 0xfd | Represents a public key hashed with OP_HASH160. |
| OP_PUBKEY | 254 | 0xfe | Represents a public key compatible with OP_CHECKSIG. |
| OP_INVALIDOPCODE | 255 | 0xff | Matches any opcode that is not yet assigned. |
Reserved opcodes
| Nemonic | Decimal | Hex | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| OP_RESERVED | 80 | 0x50 | Transaction is invalid unless occuring in an unexecuted OP_IF branch |
| OP_VER | 98 | 0x62 | Transaction is invalid unless occuring in an unexecuted OP_IF branch |
| OP_VERIF | 101 | 0x65 | Transaction is invalid even when occuring in an unexecuted OP_IF branch |
| OP_VERNOTIF | 102 | 0x66 | Transaction is invalid even when occuring in an unexecuted OP_IF branch |
| OP_RESERVED1 | 137 | 0x89 | Transaction is invalid unless occuring in an unexecuted OP_IF branch |
| OP_RESERVED2 | 138 | 0x8a | Transaction is invalid unless occuring in an unexecuted OP_IF branch |
Each opcode not assigned (currently also every opcode value > 185) is also reserved. Using an unassigned opcode makes the transaction invalid.
Scripts
This is a list of interesting scripts. Keep in mind that all constants actually use the data-pushing commands above.
Standard Transaction to Bitcoin address
scriptPubKey: OP_DUP OP_HASH160 <pubKeyHash> OP_EQUALVERIFY OP_CHECKSIG scriptSig: <sig> <pubKey>
To demonstrate how scripts look on the wire, here is a raw scriptPubKey:
76 A9 14
OP_DUP OP_HASH160 Bytes to push
89 AB CD EF AB BA AB BA AB BA AB BA AB BA AB BA AB BA AB BA 88 AC
Data to push OP_EQUALVERIFY OP_CHECKSIG
Note: scriptSig is in the input of the spending transaction and scriptPubKey is in the output of the previously unspent i.e. "available" transaction.
Here is how each word is processed:
| Stack | Script | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Empty. | <sig> <pubKey> OP_DUP OP_HASH160 <pubKeyHash> OP_EQUALVERIFY OP_CHECKSIG | scriptSig and scriptPubKey are combined. |
| <sig> <pubKey> | OP_DUP OP_HASH160 <pubKeyHash> OP_EQUALVERIFY OP_CHECKSIG | Constants are added to the stack. |
| <sig> <pubKey> <pubKey> | OP_HASH160 <pubKeyHash> OP_EQUALVERIFY OP_CHECKSIG | Top stack item is duplicated. |
| <sig> <pubKey> <pubHashA> | <pubKeyHash> OP_EQUALVERIFY OP_CHECKSIG | Top stack item is hashed. |
| <sig> <pubKey> <pubHashA> <pubKeyHash> | OP_EQUALVERIFY OP_CHECKSIG | Constant added. |
| <sig> <pubKey> | OP_CHECKSIG | Equality is checked between the top two stack items. |
| true | Empty. | Signature is checked for top two stack items. |
Standard Generation / transaction to IP address
scriptPubKey: <pubKey> OP_CHECKSIG scriptSig: <sig>
Checking process:
| Stack | Script | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Empty. | <sig> <pubKey> OP_CHECKSIG | scriptSig and scriptPubKey are combined. |
| <sig> <pubKey> | OP_CHECKSIG | Constants are added to the stack. |
| true | Empty. | Signature is checked for top two stack items. |
Transaction with a message
It's possible to add arbitrary data to any transaction by just adding some data along with OP_DROP. Scripts are limited to 10,000 bytes and 201 instructions, and each individual instruction/value is limited to 520 bytes.
scriptPubKey: <message> OP_DROP <pubKey> OP_CHECKSIG scriptSig: <sig>
| Stack | Script | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Empty. | <sig> <message> OP_DROP <pubKey> OP_CHECKSIG | |
| <sig> | <message> OP_DROP <pubKey> OP_CHECKSIG | scriptSig added to the stack. |
| <sig> <message> | OP_DROP <pubKey> OP_CHECKSIG | The message has been put. |
| <sig> | <pubKey> OP_CHECKSIG | Top stack item has been removed. |
| <sig> <pubKey> | OP_CHECKSIG | Checking signature against the public key. |
| true | Empty. | Stack holds the value of signature check now. |
Example non standard transaction on Testnet
These 2 links below show a non standard transaction. It just prepends the hex of "bob" and the operation OP_DROP which just removes it. As you can see they can be spent as normal.
Input non-std transaction: http://blockexplorer.com/testnet/t/6ttfeb55B1
Spent by: http://blockexplorer.com/testnet/t/AFdRB1CHS3